Tenino Schedules Splash Bash to Support Unique Pool’s Operations

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Tenino is known for its history of sandstone and quarries — one of which now serves as the city’s swimming pool.

The Tenino Splash Bash is a biannual event that raises money for the Quarry Pool. Splash Bash 2018 includes a dinner and a live and silent auction on May 26 at the Campbell & Campbell building (a.k.a. The “Vault”) in historic downtown Tenino. 

Tickets are $50 a piece and available at Iron Works Boutique and Heddens Pharmacy. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 360-870-2715. Doors open at 5 p.m. 

This year’s events will include live piano music by Buddy Price, a 1950s swimsuit fashion show and local sandstone carver Keith Phillips providing entertainment. The dinner menu is still being determined, but the Sandstone Cafe will cater the event. 

Past Splash Bash auctions have included VIP Adam Craig tickets, tickets to the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, Seahawks gear, Mariners tickets, day passes to the pool and various gift cards, gift baskets and other goodies. 

Auction prizes this year are similar, yet still unique. One priceless auction item is lunch with Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza and Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza at a restaurant of the winner’s choice. Other items include three tickets to the Olympic Air Show, original artwork, lunch with Thurston County Commissioner John Hutchings and various getaway packages, unique gift baskets and gift cards. 

The auction usually raises anywhere between $19,000 and $23,000 and all proceeds go toward keeping the pool open, said Joyce Worrell, Splash Bash Committee chair. The last auction in 2016 brought in roughly $22,000. 

“It’s for the kids,” Worrell said. “It gives them a place to have fun, a safe place.”

The pool also brings people to Tenino. Last season more than 5,000 people visited the Quarry Pool, roughly half coming from out of town.

It costs about $35,000 every year to maintain and operate the pool, according to Tenino mayor Wayne Fournier. The Splash Bash committee hopes a good turnout to the auction will take away some of the financial worries that come with keeping a piece of history alive and in use. 



Thanks to a $220,000 Community Development Block Grant, the Tenino Quarry Pool will be receiving a remodel over the next year. The city will also be putting in $100,000. The interior of the pool will be remodeled, the kiddy pool will be redone, a sun deck will be added and there will be added lifeguard safety features. Overall, the pool will be made more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Currently three million gallons of water are dumped from the pool each month in an attempt to keep it clean, Fournier said. Besides essentially wasting water, this creates water issues for the entire city.

“We want to be a little more wise with our water,” Fournier said.

An oxygen diffusion system will also be put in place. This will make the water seem clearer and more alive.

“We want to see the bottom of the lake, all 100 feet down,” Fournier said. “It will be better for the wildlife in there. There are fish in there, salamanders.” 

Renovations will be done on the lakeside throughout the summer, with the kiddy-pool portion of the project slated for August. Fournier estimated it will take about six to eight months overall. A grand re-opening is scheduled for summer 2019. 

Swimming season at the Tenino Quarry Pool opens June 30 and will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Recently, prices went up for pool admittance. Those living within the Tenino School District pay $3 per person for a one-time visit or $100 for a family season pass that is good for two adults and three children. Those living outside of the school district pay $4 per person for a one-time visit or $175 for the family season pass. Day pass punch cards are also now available for $27 for those within Tenino School District or $45 outside the district. Those who purchase passes prior to June 1 will receive a $25 early bird discount.